So far so good.
I was a little annoyed when TBS didn’t broadcast the pregame stuff where the players were introduced. Oh well. It made me a little happier when I got to watch Mike Socia’s reactions to every ball or strike call that he didn’t agree with. He never gets up and argues, but the look on his face is always priceless.
Anyway, now the real stuff.
Game 1: Lester absolutely dominated the Angels lineup. Sure, he ran into a few jams, but he was always able to get out of them. I think it has helped in both games that the Angels have been leaving lots of runners on base. They left nine men on base, five of which were in scoring position.
Although we started off being down by a run, we got the lead for the first time all night after a Jason Bay two run shot (could that have been planned any better?) making the score 2-1.
As it would turn out, that was all we needed. Two additional insurance runs were scored in the 9th, one of which driven in by Ellsbury. I know it’s only been two games, but I gotta say that Ellsbury is looking more and more like the guy we saw last postseason. And how about that diving catch he made in the 8th? Wow. Keep it up, Jacoby!
As far as pitching was concerned, the names Masterson and Papelbon always allow us to breath a little easier. Again, we got some help from the Angels offense, as Guerrero made a costly base running error only to get thrown out at third by a heads up play by Youk. But we were breathing just fine as our relief pitchers can into the game, pitching an inning each, only giving up 3 total hits. Oh, and Papelbon struck out the side in the 9th…that’s what I’m talking about!
Game 2: After a couple of changes, we were ready for Game 2. Lowell was out, and so was Lowrie. I can understand giving Cora a start, but honestly, why isn’t Francona starting Casey? We signed him as a backup and we’re still not giving him any playing time. I wish Francona had more confidence in him and would let him start.
This one looked like we had it in the bag after the first inning, where we scored 4 runs, two of which scored on ANOTHER Jason Bay home run! I said earlier in the season that Bay wasn’t going to replace Manny, but he sure has replaced his bat so far this postseason. God, I love this guy.
Now I have to address this, even though I can understand where he was coming from. Hunter getting called out at first in the 3rd was an extremely close play – I think the ump got it right, but it was still very close. So Hunter is upset, which is understandable. But then he hurts himself. That’s too much, in my opinion. Hunter is vital to the Angels, and who knows if he’ll be available on Sunday.
In any case, the Angels kept creeping and creeping back until finally they were tied up. They probably should have gotten ahead, seeing as they had the bases loaded with only one out in the 7th. But again, the Angels love leaving runners on. So they tied in the game in the 8th with a Texiera sacrifice fly, scoring Figgins. It was a new ballgame.
And JD Drew made it our ballgame again. Two-run shot to center. Wow! I had no clue that was going out, and it was a great surprise. How’s that back feeling JD? He actually admitted after the game that it starts to stiffen up as the game goes on. But apparently he felt good enough to jack one out of the park last night. Way to go JD!
So now we’re up two games to none. I kind of want to go into Fenway early tomorrow to try to get a ticket. But I don’t know if I will, considering I’m not yet 21 and would have no where to go watch the game if I didn’t get in. No worries. I’m still pumped for Game 3!
Keep the Faith!
